barbflorida

I was banded on a Thursday, walked around TJ on Friday, flew back to Florida on Saturday and was back in my office on Monday with no problems.

I just had to have an unfill. Fill Center sent me to an Advanced Nurse Prcatitioner in St Petersburg Florida.

As for my experiance this afternoon, I would have to say I highly reccomend her. She has Fluoro and knows how to use it. I felt like I was in TJ :-)

JC

She really is terrific isn't she.

I've used the Fill Centers doctors in both Tampa and St. Pete. If you are in Florida I would recommend St. Pete, she is absolutely terrific. I didn't have a good experience with Tampa. I wanted the Fluoro and what she did was look at and then put me on a table and did a blind stick - makes no sense, just judged by how I appeared to be drinking water and overfilled me, I suffered through the weekend and drove back on Monday morning to get an unfill.

I had the exact opposite experience in St. Pete, she does use the fluoro and barium and was just about as good as going to TJ. I would highly recommend that office.

I have the same situation with pain meds, I'm lucky to go every 2-3 days. I find Dulcolax works pretty well. Also worked for my stepfather before he passed - he was on the same pain meds and it worked for him also.

I found two options at GNC - they have a powder that is strawberry flavored, not bad at all if you mix it with cold water. They also have an orange flavored liquid - not quite as tasty, but not bad. Just don't do it on an empty stomach. I do toss it down like a shot though (lot's of experience in my younger bartending days). As far as the chewables, I've always been told by doctors, nutritionists, etc that they are basically useless. I don't know what is in the store, but I know Flinstones and that type of vitamin don't have too much of what you need. Anyway, that's my two cents worth, I guess everyone will figure out what is best for them.

Another tip, if you do go to GNC get the gold card and buy the vitamins the first week of the month, it saves you 20% on anything you buy during that week.

Judy,

I understand your "freak-out." When I was going through my weight gain I was freaking-out, too! Mostly because I was not prepare. I didn't know anything about unfills. That's why I'm glad you're educating yourself early on. I kept wishing I had qualified for the gastric-bypass surgery, but then I read where some of those patients gain all their weight back and end up getting the LapBand on top of their gastric-bypass! Yikes! Even though the LapBand is not the "perfect" solution, I have come to believe it's the best WLS out there. Just don't give away all your fat clothes. Keep a few of them in a box somewhere. My doctor told me it takes five or six years for a patient to permantently change their eating habits so that they are able to stay thin with or without the LapBand. Any number of reasons could cause you to have to be unfilled been that time.

Rachelle

I have had to have an unfill after both of my fills, the first one was done in Tampa (Fill Centers) - I don't know how it was going to cost $700 it was no where near that for me and I paid for Fluoro - Tampa does not use the fluoro they way I expected and it was basically a blind stick, I was filled on a Friday and back on Monday for an unfill. The next fill I had was in St. Pete (also Fill Centers). They were great, used fluoro and barium and exactly one month later I was back for an unfill. She thought that I had some irritation or inflamation from something I ate. The good part about it was neither of them charged for the unfill. On the second one I was very nervous because it had been so long so she checked it with the fluoro to be sure everything was in place. I fully expected to pay for at least the use of the fluoro but they said they never wanted to see anyone hesitate to come in for an unfill and be uncomfortable or jeapardize their band due to financial issues. Anyone who is using Fill Centers in Florida I would highly recommend the location in St. Petersburg, they are really awesome there.

IT WAS TUFF TYPING THAT "J" WORD, IT'S A WORD I JUST NEVER USE AND IT FELT WEIRD. I WORK WITH 120 OTHER WOMAN, I'M SURE THIS WASN'T THE FIRST COMMENT LIKE THAT MADE, JUST THE ONE I HEARD FOR MYSELF

BUT ON A GOOD NOTE, A GAL I WORK WITH IS GOING IN FOR HER PRE OP APPOINTMENT THIS MORNING TO HAVE A TUMMY TUCK WITH MY DR.

AT LEAST I GOT PEOPLE TALKIN HEALTHY AND BETTERING THEMSELVES IF NOTHING ELSE

Is your doctor for the tummy tuck in Mexico, I'm thinking about that next and would love to have some recommendations.

SEVERAL WEEKS AGO I WAS TALKING WITH A GAL AT WORK ABOUT THE BAND, HER HUSBANDS INSURANCE WILL COVER IT, WHEN ANOTHER EMPLOYEE PIPED UP, YEAH, PAM, YOU CHEATED. THIS COMING FROM SOMEONE THAT'S GAINED AND LOST A MILLION TIMES OVER ON WEIGHT WATCHERS. JUST HAD TO SAY, YEP, AND I GOT THE TOOL TO KEEP MINE OFF, YOU? I KNOW, NOT SO NICE BY THEN AGAIN SHE WAS THE ONE THAT BUTTED IN, IN THE FIRST PLACE.

SOMETIMES I WONDER IF SOME AREN

WHEN I WAS BANDED, I HEARD THIS STORY ABOUT A GAL THAT JUST GOT BANDED AND HAD IT SLIP WITHIN DAYS. I HAD THOUGHT MAYBE IT HAD HAPPENED YEARS AGO OR THEY WERE JUST TRYING TO SCARE US LOL BUT IT HAD JUST HAPPENED A FEW DAYS BEFORE I WAS BANDED. HERE'S A LINK TO HER POST:

http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?showtopic=781&st=0

I am looking at my instructions as I'm typing

First week should be clear liquids, that would be clear broth, tea, gatorade, fruit juice (without pulp).

Day 8 - add nonfat drinkable yogurt (no fruit pieces)

Day 10 Add liquid protein.

up to day 21 If you can't drink it - don't eat it. I added soups into this group, like a cream of tomato, no chunks.

fourth week Solid Meals.

I followed this faithfully and had no problems at all. I felt like I could eat, but didn't want to take the chance and really wasn't hungry so I stayed right with the diet.

I wasn't taking any chances on any problems. Hope everything works out for you.

Count me amongst the scared people! It's so noticeable now that a friend observed it under my t-shirt and made a comment. If it wasn't for this forum, I would be in a state of total panic. Still waiting to hear back from the doctor. Time for another call, I think.

If he isn't calling right back, you might try his email - I emailed him once and he replied within a day. If he's anything like me, that's the best way to get a quick response.

I went to TJ for my first fill and Tampa for my second fill. I did NOT have a great experience in Tampa, paid for fluoro but it wasn't done the way it should have been and other than seeing that everything was in place before doing anything it was basically a blind stick and I was overfilled - had to go back after suffering all weekend.

I just got off the phone with Fill Centers and after asking a lot of questions about St. Petersburg I made an appointment. By the time I pay the extra for fluoro and barium I can just about go to TJ and be sure that it's done right, the only issue is the travel time. I have a little bit of time before the appointment, so if anyone has any experience with St. Pete any input is appreciated. Thanks.

I was filled in Tampa. Went there because they said they had Fluoro - she looked at it with the fluoro and then put me on the table and did a blind stick, overfilled me - on a Friday no less, by Sunday I couldn't get water down and had to make another trip to Tampa to have some taken out. She's a very nice person, but I won't go through that again. I'm going to check on St. Pete before I make another decision - if they do it the same way, I will travel to TJ for any more fills. It's a long trip, but it can be done in one (very long) day.

Good news is, after she adjusted it, I've been fine, but beginning to think about another fill in the near future.

Ok...so I went to Costco today hoping to find a good deal on the Glucerna shakes for my pre-op diet and the Lean cuisines for my lunches. No go on the Lean cuisines...they didn't have them. I got Muscle milk protein shakes instead because they have more than twice the protein, and 2 grams less sugar than the Glucerna. They were also $6.00 cheaper. There was less cans of them, but they were bigger than the Glucerna. I got some veggies to snack on too.

Is this ok for a pre-op diet? I'm am thinking I made it better. Has anyone had the muscle milk before? How is the taste? I haven't tried one yet. I got the chocolate of course...lol

What about the South Beach diet meals instead of the Lean Cuisine? Are they allowed instead? Haven't priced those yet.

I hope I can lose what they want me to. It's gonna be tough, but I know it will be worth it.

Peace,

Judy

All of this is just personal taste. I just tried the Muscle Milk - It's not bad at all, the chocolate it usually too chocolatey for me, but I got a Muscle Milk Lite that was Chocolate Mint and it was pretty good also bought the regular one in Vanilla Creme - after reading them closer the lower calorie one was only 8.5 oz. and the other was 11 oz. That's one way to make it "lite". Also found that the Slim Fast Carb Control has the most protein of all of the Slim Fast varieties. It has 20 grams as opposed to the High Protien which has 15 or the Optima which has 10. Also the EAS AdvantEdge is good, lower calorie and 17 grams of protein. I still do shakes in the morning mainly because it's faster and I'm a little tight in the a.m.

I eat a lot of Lean Cuisine and Healthy Choice and they are usually really good. I bought a couple of South Beach and ate one and it was so bad I threw the other one away, I didn't even want to try it. I don't know if it's our stores or the companies, but I've been seeing some great sales on both the Lean Cuisine and Healthy Choice.

And yes, it is going to be worth it, I was banded on November 30 and my only regret is that I waited as long as I did to do it!

I was banded on November 30th so I am actually 4 months post op. My highest weight was 255 back in October and I was trying to diet so I was down a little before the pre-op diet - I lost 12 lbs. on the pre-op diet and since the surgery I have lost 54.4 lbs. - my weight this morning was 185.8 and I am just thrilled to death that I don't have to shop in the women's department and I'm wearing pants that don't have elastic waists.

My only regret is that I waited as long as I did to get the surgery.

I was banded Nov 30th and went to MX for my first fill on Jan 13. I just had my second fill in Tampa about 2 weeks ago and wish I had gone back to MX. I made sure they had Fluoro but she didn't use it the same way they did in MX and she overfilled me on a Friday and I was okay Friday and part of Saturday then it just seemed like everything closed off by Sunday, so another 2 1/2 hours each way to Tampa on Monday to have some saline removed. I feel great now, but paying extra for her to use the fluoroscope to look at it and then put me on the table and basically do a blind stick was kind of stupid. St. Pete also has fluoro but when the time comes for another fill, I am going to make sure I am VERY clear on how they do it, if it's not the way it's done in MX, I'll make the trip back to the clinic. That has been the only problem that I've had since the surgery and it was handled and I am back to feeling great!

Don't be scared Dottie, they are absolutely awesome in Mexico, Dr. Ortiz and his staff are the absolute best! I was worried about it and kept researching for almost a year, the only regret I have is that I waited as long as I did.

Wow, I thought that was fascinating, but my husband had to leave the room, the big sissy!

Hi Mary,

I'm 54 and always bounced back to about 250. You have to do your own research, but for me, having the surgery was the best decision I ever made.

Hi Annette,

I remember how scared I was before I went. I came all the way from Florida alone so you can just imagine. I was banded on 11/30 and when I look back I only wish I had done it sooner. The staff there is great and will answer any questions you have.

Barb

Hi, keep at it. If you want to get it done you'll figure it out - it took me over a year to make the decision and work out the cash, but it was the best decision I ever made.

I was banded by Dr. Ortiz Nov. 30. Going there was the best decision I ever made, the facility is awesome and cleaner than any hospital I've ever been in here - Not that I have a lot of experience, but PA, NJ and FL - none of them came close to OCC

I was a November patient too, banded on 11/30, I had to fly back to Florida on Sat. 12/2, rested a little on Sunday and was back at work on Monday without missing a beat. Basically had no real pain at all. I'm about 6 wks post op now, just had my first fill and I think it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

You said that on Saturday when I saw you, but since I ended up with a 30 hour day some things are a little fuzzy. Where do you get them, I've never seen them at the store. I know you told us, but I'm having a senior moment (I'd say blonde moment, but I'm not blonde anymore)! I really haven't had any problem with any of them. The chocolate is a little too heavy for me, but if I cut it with a vanilla and save the other half it's okay. I've used the EAS AdvantEdge, Slim Fast and Atkins. As long as I have ice and a straw they are pretty good.

Steph,

I'm so sorry to hear you're having a problem, hope you get it worked out quickly. Thank God I can get my meds down, I'd be in excruciating pain if I couldn't. Hopefully that will change as my weight goes down.

It was really good to meet you on Saturday. Just to update, after the hell that was crossing the border, I did make the commuter flight to LAX and then had to wait for 3 1/2 hours for the flight to Orlando. Ended up running into another bunch of Mary Kay people. If I had known that convention was going on, I definitely would not have worn the pink jacket. I just fit in too well with all of them.

Email me and let me know how you are doing, you have my card, but just in case you lost it, the email is barbara@myworldmortgage.com

Any surgery carries risks, we all know that going in. Why do you assume that none of us had the intelligence to research what we were doing before doing it. Through my life I have lost hundreds of pounds on every diet imaginable, I have also gained hundreds of pounds. I finally realized I needed a tool to help me and did research very thoroughly. Whatever risks I found, my feelings, as well as my doctors, my husband and the rest of my family that my weight was a bigger risk. I am no where near my goal weight and have already been able to lower dosage on pain medications for back problems, I'm breathing better and although I have a long way to go, I am already starting to pull out clothes from the last diet that have been packed away. I feel sorry for your brother of a friend, but for me and it seems just about everyone on this forum, we truly feel that we made the right decision.

I am scheduled for surgery January 15th.... Are there any pieces of wisdom you wish you'd known before surgery that would have made post surgery life a little easier???

The only thing I wish I had known was how awesome the experience would be. I started researching in January 2006 and when I saw Mexico my first reaction was NO WAY! I kept checking and researching, found that a couple of doctors in Daytona that would do the lap band (for $18,000) but one had done 3 and they other was "trained" and needed three patients scheduled to have a Proctor come, needless to say I went for the experience and on November 30, 2006 I was banded by Dr. Ortiz. I flew home on Dec. 2 and was back at work on December 4. I never missed a beat and most of my clients didn't even know I had left because I had internet access and could log on to my remote desktop and kept up with everything I needed to be doing. I basically had no pain and no problems with what I was supposed to be eating. I'm going for my first fill in two weeks and can't wait. The staff is the absolute best, the facilities are awesome and I just can't say enough good things - when I talk to people I'm starting to sound like and Evangelist for Lap-bands.